Dr. Brian Wong Won, ACPS Fellow

I believe that the most exemplary people in any field are perpetual students. At ACPS, I saw the opportunity to learn from a collection of mentors who have achieved mastery in plastic surgery, which, to me, is multi-factorial. The challenge is more than having charisma or skill—it includes working with a team, understanding business, and troubleshooting at scale. In terms of the collection of excellent surgeons, the size of the larger support team, and the scale of the practice, I am not aware of a practice in the country that functions quite like ACPS.

Plastic surgery offered a duality of art and surgery that I yearned for. Whether it be music or drawing, I have always been drawn to creative endeavors, no matter the medium. I initially began my surgical career contemplating surgical oncology or cardiac surgery, and I know that I would’ve been excellent there, as well. However, when I was exposed to plastic surgery, I was overcome by the potential to imbue my gifts into a surgical medium. The personal gratification of a satisfied and grateful patient is akin to the love that people have for their favorite musician or painter – except in plastic surgery, that happiness bleeds into their experiences with other people and impacts their health for years to come. How powerful would it be to offer someone optimal confidence for the next 30 years of their lives? Immeasurable. 

I see my ceiling as something to perpetually chase. In the short term, I want to deliver safe, reliable, beautiful results for my patients. I yearn to be a visage of trust, dependability, and precision in my work. In the long term, I am constantly endeavoring for excellence. I strive for a brand defined by alacrity and skill and for opportunities to expand my footprint in the world of plastic surgery. The great beauty of this career is that it will return everything that I put into it, and I am definitely up to the task. 

In my free time, I love spending time with my family. The most rewarding part of my life is being a father. Like surgery, it’s something I have to work on daily. I also enjoy sports—both watching and playing. I like playing and writing music when I have time. I also cut hair. As I near the end of training, I hope to re-engage the joys of my past lives in a balanced way. 

I performed in musicals in high school. In medical school, I was the lead singer in a band. If I couldn’t be a surgeon, I might be sleeping in my van and playing dive bars. I am fiercely drawn to plastic surgery by passion, and I have endured a long road to arrive here. I will be equally passionate and attentive about all phases of your care. 

“Our willingness to own and engage with our vulnerability determines the depth of our courage and the clarity of our purpose.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

I find many of Emerson’s writings profound, and here, he touches on something that is usually true. Any success will come after the result of true self-reflection and investment. It is a reminder to challenge myself every day and to account for my weaknesses so that they can be improved upon.